Jon Jones reacts to the recent pound-for-pound ranking update after backing from Dana White and Alex Pereira
11/20/2024 08:28 AM
This past weekend at UFC 309, Jon Jones made his long-awaited return to the Octagon, defeating Stipe Miocic in the third round of their controversial undisputed heavyweight title fight.
Ahead of his controversial comeback, Jon Jones caused a stir throughout the UFC fanbase when he claimed he would not fight interim champion Tom Aspinall if he was victorious at UFC 309.
Instead, the 37-year-old began to hint at a potential fight against current light heavyweight champion, Alex Pereira, but the idea was later shut down by UFC CEO, Dana White.
Jon Jones reacts to recent pound-for-pound ranking update
For what seems like the majority of 2024, White has been banging the drum that Jones should be ranked number one on the pound-for-pound rankings list, and he has slammed the ‘clowns’ that make the rankings.
The UFC boss has been trying to figure out ways of overhauling the current ranking system, and he recently called upon the assistance of Mark Zuckerberg to help him.
Following his impressive win over Miocic this past Saturday, Jones and White were hopeful that the consensus greatest of all time would take the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings update this past Monday.
Despite that, ‘Bones’ only managed to move up one place into second, overtaking the aforementioned Pereira, but still finding himself behind lightweight champion, Islam Makhachev.
His potential future rival, ‘Poatan’ weighed in on the rankings update, suggesting that Jones and Makhachev switch places.
Although White and Pereira are seemingly frustrated that ‘Bones’ didn’t take the top spot, the 37-year-old champion has shared his reaction to the recent rankings update.
“Being ranked number 2 pound-for-pound at 37 years old, I’m happy with that,” Jones reacted in a tweet on X (formerly Twitter).
Jon Jones once again makes UFC history
Jones holds multiple records in the UFC, with the most noteworthy being that he is still the youngest-ever fighter to win a UFC title at 23 years old.
This past Saturday, the 37-year-old once again made UFC history when he became the first fighter in the promotion’s history to successfully defend his title in three different title reigns.
Jones’ career has been partially plagued by failed drug tests and issues outside of the cage, otherwise, the argument surrounding the greatest of all time would likely be more unanimous.
The heavyweight champion is yet to confirm whether he will officially retire from the sport and vacate the title, or if he will give the fans the fight they desire by unifying the title against Aspinall.
The Brit is seemingly confident that the fight will be made after a successful interview with the UFC brass following the UFC 309 main event.
